Means for and method of supporting the roofs or walls of underground workings



O. S. BATTEN March 20, 1945.

2,371,789 MEANS FOR AND METHOD oF SUPPORTING THE ROOFs 0R WALLS OF UNDERGROUND WORKINGS Filed Jan. 28, 19441 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 QMZ: no :n

M arch 20, 1945. o. s. BA1-TEN 2,371,789

` MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF SUPPORTING THE ROOFS OR WALLS 0F UNDERGROUND WORKINGS Filed Jan. 28', 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E77 l w `chinery in the working area.

Patented Mar. 20, 1945 MEANS FonlyAND METHOD oF SUPPORTING THE ROOFS R WALLS OF UNDERGROUND WORKINGS otho s.Banni,lukeviue,xy.` n c application January 2s, 1944, serialNo. 520,088 l (crei-45x 9 Claims'.

This invention "relates" to means for and methods of supportingthe roofs or walls of underground workings and .more particularly to `means forsupporting such a roof or wall while leaving the adjacent working area free from encumbrances so as to provide ample Working space for the Workmen and machinery, and to a novel y `method of supportingthe walls of` underground j workings. j n l l The majority of serious. accidents `that occur to men actively engaged in mining or tunneling occur at the active working faces.- Heretoforevit generally has been the practice to `use timber or steel beams in connection with vertical posts to support the overlying strataorroof `of a mine to prevent its falling on the menfactivelyengaged at the face. Withvthe advent of mechanical loading, and especially in thin seams of coal,;the`tim bering at the working facehas interfered materially with the efficiency of the loading equipment. For this reason, the timbering often has been neglected with the result that serious injuries and a number of fatalities have occurred.

In accordance `with my invention a steel band or the like, varying in` width and thickness to meet the requirements, yis held lagainst a roof or wall so as to support it safelyand surely without encumbering the working'area. l t

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved means Vfor supporting a wall, e. g., the roof, of an underground working.

Another object is toprovide means of the char- Aacter stated which is iight, of simple construction, and which is adaptedto support substantial loads `without interfering `with men and ma- Another object of the invention ging of thepband increasing its load supporting capacity.-`

A further object of the invention is to provide K aynew and improved method of supporting a Wall,

- e. gv., the roof, of an'underground Working. Y yOther objects will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through an underground working approximately at the" roof level .and showing roof supporting means in top plan fis to provide 4supporting means of, the kind referred to in which a thin supporting band is rst yheld taut closely against the wall to be supported,=but is permitted to sag slightly when loaded, the sag- `Figure 2 is a vertical section on the linelip--Zt of Figuren;`

Figure V3 is aside elevation offone endpo'rtion structure, drawn` on an l enof a supporting band larged scale; l j j v Figure 4 is a, top plan -view `of the structure shown-in Figure 3; j Figure 5 is a, section on the -line 5 5 of lFig- ,v Figure Sis a plan viewfof alshear platen` c Figure 'lisa section on the line 1-71 of Fig- Figure 8 is a fragmentary detailview in `vertical section showing the relative'positions"occu-` pied by a prop and supporting band structurebef fore the structure is loaded fullyiand` l Figure 9 is a lview similar to Figurebutshowing the related positions ofthe partsia'fter` 1the structureis loaded. l l i l i l,

By way of example, Fthelzinvention `is disclosed as being practisediin the yworking of a coaly mine cut shown in Figures 1 and2h as comprising a floor A, roof Bfand sidewalls C and D.; The undercutting proceeds in the direction of'the arrow n E, the back of the undercut beingjindicated iby the line F.v The portion'ofV the working indicated by the brace avhas been cleared of jcoal;` andthe portion indicated bythe braceb contains the cut of coal to be loaded out.` i Y In accordance with `the invention, the roof over the area being cleared issupported bynovel means which f leave the area unencumbered lso thatfthereisl ample room for movement of the Workmen and operation of 'loading `and transe porting machinery.

Lifter` removal of the cut coal, struts or posts which may be ofta more or less permanent and conventional nature;` are `placed under the r/oofof the area. Supporting means embodying the invention areA then placed l under the roofy of the next `in-by area so astuto assure that this area will remain safe forl'working Y and willbe unobstructed so as toprovide all space necessary vfor the men and machinery;` i The; .cut-

ting and loadingout then proceedsfurther inthe direction of` the'arrow` E, and as each new area is cut andclearedgthe roof supporting means-of L. the invention arev moved-in.j f

4With -thisgeneralmode of operation inmind, the construction and the method of using apreferred embodiment of the invention will be readily understood. Figure 2` shows elongated supporting devices generally designated il `spaced from each other in the direction of the arrow E, extending transversely of the mine working, and

terminating, just short ofthe wallsCand D," The" elongated supporting ydevices i may all be of the same construction. Each device I comprises a thin flexible elongated band-like member 2 preferably formed of alloy steel. At or adjacent each end of each vmember 2 is a reinforcing plate 3 weldedto the associated member 2 as at 4 or secured in any other suitable Way. Elongated openings' 5 extend ithroughgthe members.-2 and 4.reinforcinglilates i3 with. their longerrdimensions.ex`- l tending longitudinally of the member 2.

In use, the members 2 are placed closely under-.f neath'the roofB and are drawn taut and placedy under longitudinal tension'rigy'holdirigjfconneoi tions between the mine working L'arfd-ithedevices I. For this purpose prop elements 6 6 are interposed between the floor A and the lorgitudinally spaced end portions of the member 2, the prop elements being inclined outwardly fairdfupwardly from the oor A to the roof B. The elements' 6l are extensible for simultaneously pressing the end portions-vof ffthe'-mern'ber'l2 sagainst the roof; and

for stressing the member longitudinally; Profiler.-v

=1blyf-the'lprcplelements#comprise.Jack'siwhich 'mayllbeoperated eiIherJman-u'allyrbryfanyz suitable power applying means, e. g.,rfelectiically, `-pneu-mettically, f-or'Cl'iydraulically.- In, the form lshown ordinary manually operatediscrewrjacks 'areiprovided.

` Before placing the jacks 6, the roof Banduioor snugly between theisiiesmf these'longatedpopenningsFS butfthereri's rclearance f-.- I2to; allows-.considferablevlrelative :longitudinlpmovement between the jacks and the member 2. .nmccordanceewth fonefeaturezfilthe'iinventionyieldable nreansare "provi'ded for holding 'f-the eend portions '9. :of n; the "-jacksiagams't theinner ends'lofitheropenings Bras *shown-i in Yliigure5 B. 'rFor #this "rpurpose a shear plate F3 is'fmounteddaorfextenduacross Tthe :clear- 'aneesspace I 2 f..rbetween;the rjack uppervendzrporviv.tioril)andithesouterfendriifthe: associated-muiinwafdlyf'towaril'itheadacentcouter .end fof the lmemfb'eri andmowand' .thexlongitudinal .'axisqthere sf. iAnglelpieces I daweldedfto.the'.;bandflike memfberTZl asf at t5liarefdisposednatcinclinations corre- Tvthe shearsplate?` en'dzportionsi can :be1slipped1under ltthe mverhangingiiiangeswoffthe angle pieces v- I 1Iy as fshownlniEiguresAjrSfsand '7.,

ssmnlngfthatfcoal :has been'zcut:.fbutmot-2yet removed-from:theiareaiaj'the:roof will be :unsupportedl-Iand theistruts its zandxcaps I I willrnotgyet `be"-`in' place. fAl'plurality, rior: .example three, rof ithedevices/ I rare @woedt-successively:iinclosely mriderlyingsrlation'fito I'the'iroof eB? as: shomm "thereiforcingplates13=aridwith abutmentmlates s "I I "contacting the'iiioor 5T-'he .projecting end *portions ofithetjackswill-'eterd intoithe cut-:outs

i1' and Iii-previously'formed`1 in the ',-roo'ff B- randjfloor TA. i '.ll'ie'sl'ieai" platesv f I3 are-mounted asishowniin Figures 7;" and *8fsosasftofextendlfacrossnthe In the embodiment shoyms/.eachnshear s 1plate-iisTflormediwith inclin'edzendsfrmliich converge clearances I2, thereby holding the jack upper portions 9 at the inner ends of the openings 5. The jacks 6 are then operated to press upwardly against the reinforcing plates 3 and the band 5 members 2 will be stretched longitudinally and placed under tension. v

The roof B over the devices I may fail and :movie edownwardly so .as toiimposean additional vfloa'dzon the devices I. VIihis willzstressthe bands 'w 2 more greatly, tending to pull the ends of the i; ,.-abands inwardly. The yieldable shear plates I3 will thenggive Way, permitting the band ends to .vinci/:efinwardlygalimited distance equal to the '"learancesilfatter which the outer end parts of l5 the operiingsi` will engage the upper portions 9 fzofitheijafcks, as shown in Figure 9, preventing furl; .,therinwardmovement of the band ends. In this vwaytheloands"2'willbe permitted to sag and their -load-carrying capacities will be increased. In

30 vFigure 1, the right hand .end of oneof the devices Ifis shown'atfrras havingmovedinwardiy.toagf f producinggposition consequentuponffailureo'the associatedc'shearplate (not shown).

" *'Itw'ill berapparent that, inl order to providefo'r 25 the sagging ofrthe 'band'ssotas'ctoincreaseitheir floadecarrying capacities;the-#elongated openings A'l'mayiloe formed'atieitherl'pr both-Aendsfof the fb'ands. -'In=the`illustrative embddimentgrtheibarid ends are shown ras being of identical construction to aproviaeror'itmsfre1anvemovements ofthe-bands 35 l-providedl. for z-mitialiymoiding:tnefbanui substan- .tiallyfrstraghtand'i tautbut beingffadapted Sto-"give 'Way tof' permit limited lmovement!'oi 'one I"or aboth ends 'of theibandsoffas to'Ibringsabout-rs'agging. J'Asf'shownnfFigurelfthreefsupporting devices 40 "hare-positioned underithe rroof 3B' of '-r'the'fareafa L'for supportingrthe fro' while'tthercutfcoal .is Ibeling loaded out'. i xAfter anzlsarearhastbeenfcleared iIr-usuz'illy:isfdesirableIto supportitheroofmore o or n"less fpermaneiitlyfby means fof conventional 'strutsorf-posts IS |16 provided with rcapsII 1. f These may bessetinfvfplace whilef-thedev'ices Ilarestill infisupportingtposition. i

When a newfc'uthas'fbeenlmaIde'-=in=fthef1areaffb fand before v'rem'ov-ing"the' =coal,fsupporting devi-ces if the' *kiridfpreviously# 'described are positioned.L as indicated in dotted linesl-atil. 'I-heroofiB will then; bef-@supported over-*thefareab lwhilelleaving foperate' in removing thelcoal. This f procedure is neling is carried forward n'thefdire'ction -o'ffthe zarro'wE. If fdesire'd', the supporting f -'devices I may-tbe removedffromeachr area f after :the struts 1I'6f-and caps f I 'Iilriave'fbeen1 set in place,v 'the re'- fmoved#supportingfdevices 'then being used *for supporting thefnewly undercut roof. V.'1`he;nove1fsupportingrmeans embodyingj my fin.; vention is very light and easy to handle. -.'A quar rlber'inohfthickvsteel"fband" twentyfoursfiteet long will supporteaigreater iloadithanfan inchby 1U inch timber cross'headerfffssubstaritially equal Jien'gth. Byiusing` supportinglftlev-ces aenibodying #the inventionthe wworlnnen: are :aiorded-iample roomf for' moving f aboutandif ora operating :loading machinery but are always protected'fromf the 'newly undercut rroof. If 1 ther-roof :1 should -fbreak .itcwould be supporteclzfbya:thewsaggingrbandstlZ .until fthe/:permanent vshorng, struts uw :could ibe fm set in place.

repeatedfor-eachmewputas the? working-'or' tunmember under tension, said `yieldablepartbeing The supporting devices I have beenldisclosed as comprising steelfalloy band-like members? 2 formed as flat stripsor sheets, but itfwillbe apparent `that any strong and fairlynexible members, such as ropes-or woven wire bands f properly reinforced' at their ends;y could `also'be used. As used in this specification and the claims t The most common use of supporting devices'.

embodying the invention is for supporting the roof of a mine or other underground working.4 However,` devices embodying the invention may also be used for supporting or preventing the caving in of working walls other than roofs, jin which cases the jacks 5 are extendedl between the supporting devices I and a wall opposed to that which is being supported.

Although the construction shown herein by way of example embodies the invention in its preferred form, it will be understood that changes may be 'made without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

l. In means for supporting the roof of an underground working, a thin ilexible member closederground working, a thin flexible member closet ly underlying the roof; and'holding connections between the working and opposite end portions of said member for holding said member in place under said roof and for resisting movementloi said member end portions towards the centers'of said member, one of said holding connections comprising a prop interposed between the floor of said working and said member, a part on said member engageable with said prop and adapted to give way when said member is loaded to thereby release the associated end portion of said member for limited movement toward `the other of said end portions to thus permit said member to sag, and another part on said member engageable with said pro-p after such movement of the prop-held end portion for preventing further movement thereof.

3. In means for supporting the roof of an underground working, a thin flexible member closely'underlying the roof; and holding connections between the working and opposite end portions of said member for holding said member in place under said roof and for resisting movementffof said member end portions towards the center of said member, one of said holding connections comprising an opening in the associated end portion of said member, an element anchored in said working and extending through said opening with clearance longitudinally of said member outwardly beyond said element, and a yieldable part carried by said member and overlapping said clearance and engaging said element to hold said adapted to yield when `said member is`subjected to a predetermined load and is placedunderincreased tension, whereby said member end" portion is permitted to `move toward the Amember central portion to an extent equal tos'aidclearance and said member is permitted-tosag.

4. In means for supporting the roof of an underground working, a thin flexible band-like member closely underlying the roof with its thin orsmallest dimension normal to the roof; props interposed between end portions of said member and the floor of the'working and being inclined from bottom to top outwardly towards the ends t of said member respectively; an opening in one end portion of said member through which the associated prop extends with clearance longitudinally of said member outwardly beyond said props; and a shear plate secured to said member and extending across said clearance and engaging said prop. 1

5. In means for supporting the roof of'an un-V derground working, a thin iiexible band-like member closely underlying the roof with its thin or smallest dimensionnormal to the roof ;v props interposed between end portions of said member and the floor of the working and being inclined from bottom to top outwardly towards theends of saidmember respectively; an opening in one end portion of said Vmember through which the associated prop extends with clearance longitudinally of said member outwardly beyond said prop; a shear plate; and means detachably mounting said plate on said member to extend across said clearance in engagement with said prop.

6.V In means for supporting the roof of an underground working, a thin lflexible band-like member closely underlying the roof with its thin or smallest dimension normal to the roof; props interposed between end portions of said member and the floorvof the working andrbeing inclined from bottom to top outwardly towards the ends of said member respectively; an opening in one end portion of said member through which the associated prop extends with clearance longitudinally of said member outwardly beyond said prop; a shear plate adapted to extend transversely of said member and across said clearance and having ends converging towards the longitudinal center and adjacent end of said member; and a pair of angle pieces connected to said member at inclinations respectively conforming to the plate end inclinations and being adapted to hold said plate to extend as aforesaid.

7. In means for supporting a wall of an underground working, a thin iiexible member lying closely against said wall; and holding connec-` tions between the working and opposite end portions of said member for holding said member Y in place against said wall and for resisting movement of said member end portions towards the center of said member, one of said holding connections comprising a part adapted to give way when said member is loaded to thereby release the associated end portion of said member for limited movement toward the other of said ,end portions and to thus permit said member to sag.

8. In means for supporting a wall of an underground working, a thin flexible band-like memberlying closely against said wall; props interposed between end portions of said member and the wall of said working opposed to said Wall to be supported and being inclined from said opposed wall outwardly towards the ends of said memberzrespctvelynan opening inzone endfpor'- iti-on ofsac memberfthrough which the ass ooialted prop lextermsfwhhaclearance Elongaudinally of `saird. member;olliwszerollylloeyondsazd prop; andieshear .plate secured .to Vseid. :member and .extending across :fsa-id clearanceffanmengagingseid. prop;

9. In axzmethod of supporting the roof of fan @under-ground" working, :applying: fa, thn flexible :elongated :member closely underneath v Asaid. roof; anchoring Aone end of said member '1to1-said roof; vand;fyeldaloly anchoring. :the other' .end of. -said 5 mernberftoy said roof `for limited .movemem` of said other .en d towards sad; one-fend. 

